31 December 2016

Daily Measures XII

We've had a beautiful last day of 2016 in Florence, and the studio was full of sunshine this afternoon. I thought I would share an image I posted to Instagram today since it shows where my "Daily Measures" project has ended up.

As the year progressed, I realized that (as simple as my daily practice was) the monthly making/setting up of the booklet had become an impediment; if I began the month without preparing the pages, the strips would accumulate with nowhere to go. By the time summer arrived, with family visiting & traveling, I had gotten off-track. Saving papers to use for each daily "story line"had become second nature, though, so I came up with the idea of weaving them. First in the orderly fashion of some of my past paper weavings, but once the busy summer was over the concept started to reflect the pre-launch period for Studio Milledisegni (which was insanely crazy for me), the weavings became looser/less orderly...

Then, as I was completingmy series of paper designs for Studio Milledisegni, I got the idea to use a month's-worth of stripsto create a small-scale paper chain for our little lemon balm "tree" (shown in the image above). At the beginning of December it was still covered with fresh leaves, but they began to fall part way through the month, slowly making way for the ever-growing chain.

I
love the shadows (and the "chaos" they create on the wall), though this does make it somewhat hard to differentiate betweenthe branches/twigs and the shadows they cast.On the note of chaos, this is probably the word that best defines2016 for me.Likely for that reason, a sense of "calm" has been my quest as I take a break over the holidays. And this is what inspired our Christmas tree this year. After removing the copper leaves with the words my daughter & I had chosen last Christmas (described partway throughthis post, and which we will hang on the olive tree at the rose garden), we decorated the LED-lit branches with clear glass balls + crystal chandelierbits & pieces. Itsmingling of simplicity & exuberance brings me joy every time I look at it. And I love how the sunshine mixes with the crystals, scattering "rainbows" everywhere during the hours of light...

Thank you, Margaret! I ordered the glass balls from Amazon Italia, and just had a quick look on Amazon UK to see if they have them as well. Mine are 6cm, sold in sets of 12, but all I can find on Amazon UK is 8cm spheres packaged in sets of 6:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Baubles-Spheres-Ornaments-Decoration/dp/B010EG13HI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1483444277&sr=8-4&keywords=Succulent+Style+glass+balls(It says they'll be in stock again later this month.)Originally I thought we might put something inside them (glitter or "words" or ???) but found them to be perfect just as they are...especially with the ever-changing reflections/colors. There are lots of possibilities though!- Lisa

Buongiorno Lisa, I used to receive all new posts from Arzigogolare but I don`t anymore. Should I register at a different web address ? However, I follow you on istagram. I hope you are having a great summer ! Grazie, Céline

Dear Céline ~ I'm not sure why you have not been receiving new posts via email - other than the fact that I'm afraid there haven't been many in recent months! You could try re-subscribing...if you scroll down the page you'll find the place to do that toward the end of the sidebar information.

Thanks so much for following me on Instagram, and for continuing to check my blog - and I hope you will find something here in the near future! I have been posting brief entries on the Studio Milledisegni blog, but they tend to be focused on what I'm creating for the online shop...

ARZIGOGOLARE is the second incarnation of my original blog, which I began after The Piazzas of Florence was published. As my focus shifted, the blog has evolved to include glimpses into everyday life in Florence + what's happening in my studio & kitchen.